oldpilgrim
Elite Member
if the manifold just melted the insulation, I doubt that it affected the electrical connection. it probably shorted the alt.
Be ready for a new/repaired alt.
Be ready for a new/repaired alt.
I hate to say it, but that wire looks like it will still carry current. I'm thinking it's a bad alternator. But replace wire and belt, can't hurt. While your waiting, check over every electrical system you can find, as it sounds like you have a draw somewhere. I would start with the dash cluster, check wire bundles and switches. A bad alternator won't draw, and doesn't look like the wire was shorting, so you probably have problem #3 somewhere. This can be very hard to find. On my truck, there is a constant small draw that I cannot find, so I just keep a trickle charger on it, and it works fine, I can leave it sitting overnight and it will start, but if I leave it for a few days, it needs a jump.
I already found why it burned. It was loose from the zip tie and resting on part of the exhaust and it melted!
if it hit the manifold and burned, it very likely shorted out the alt.
Yes it was hitting the manifold, and it's hard to see in the photos, but the copper wire is very much exposed and that is what was sitting on the manifold. I am hopeful that when replacing this it will solve the problem, but I ordered a new alternator and belt also just so that I won't have to wait longer to fix everything.